The alleged iPad Pro may never see the light of day as the sales of Apple's iPads wane. For the past year, there has been a steady decline in tablet sales, including the iPad. This is alarming as Apple's iPad dominate the tablet market and currently holds 60 percent market share, which means that other tablets may be suffering the same fate.
Surprisingly, there is a decrease in tablet shipments in the last four quarters. According to research firm IDC, the diminishing sales of tablets will continue and the market will shrink continuously until 2018. Amidst the decreasing popularity of tablets is the rise of hybrids like smartphone-tablet and laptop-tablet hybrids.
Due to the rise of phablets in the market, more and more people are letting go of the tablet since the former offers a screen display that is close to miniature tablets. Moreover, a phablet has smartphone capabilities. It is considered more economical than buying a tablet and a smartphone separately.
This is supported by reports claiming that the iPhone 6 Plus is cannibalizing the sales of the iPad Mini 3 as the Apple's phablet sports a 5.5-inch display, which is rather close to the iPad Mini 3's screen size of 7.9 inches. Some consumers refrained from buying the iPad Mini 3 and scooted over to purchase the iPhone 6 Plus since the phablet has better specs, features, and functions than the miniature tablet.
Meanwhile, some reports are claiming that if Apple will push through with the release of the iPad Pro early next year, it will be a laptop-tablet hybrid since the market favors it. The device will aim for the business sector, complete with features and functions centering on business and entertainment.
Some of the rumored features of the iPad Pro include a larger 12.2-inch screen panel, A8X processor, Adreno 420, 2 GB of RAM, iOS 8, 16 GB/ 64 GB/ 128 GB internal storage, 8 MP rear camera and 1.2 MP front-facing camera, and Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
However, the Cupertino-based company has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors.
